Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Alaska Air Tests Satellite Web Access - WSJ.com

This will be a mixed blessing, but it's inevitable...

As the race to provide email, Internet connectivity and other Wi-Fi options to fliers at an affordable price accelerates, Alaska Airlines intends to be the first U.S. carrier to offer a satellite-based system.

The ninth-largest U.S. carrier by traffic, which is expected to disclose its effort today, has committed to a monthlong test in the spring of a system provided by Row 44 Inc., a closely held Westlake Village, Calif., start-up. If successful, the airline said it intends to equip its 114-aircraft fleet by the end of 2009.